EP3284625A1 - Kraftstofftank - Google Patents

Kraftstofftank Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3284625A1
EP3284625A1 EP16779810.7A EP16779810A EP3284625A1 EP 3284625 A1 EP3284625 A1 EP 3284625A1 EP 16779810 A EP16779810 A EP 16779810A EP 3284625 A1 EP3284625 A1 EP 3284625A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
welded
face
fuel tank
tank
facing side
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP16779810.7A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3284625A4 (de
EP3284625B1 (de
Inventor
Shunsuke Tsukahara
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Yachiyo Industry Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Yachiyo Industry Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Yachiyo Industry Co Ltd filed Critical Yachiyo Industry Co Ltd
Publication of EP3284625A1 publication Critical patent/EP3284625A1/de
Publication of EP3284625A4 publication Critical patent/EP3284625A4/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3284625B1 publication Critical patent/EP3284625B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K15/077—Fuel tanks with means modifying or controlling distribution or motion of fuel, e.g. to prevent noise, surge, splash or fuel starvation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C51/00—Shaping by thermoforming, i.e. shaping sheets or sheet like preforms after heating, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawing; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C51/10—Forming by pressure difference, e.g. vacuum
    • B29C51/105—Twin sheet thermoforming, i.e. deforming two parallel opposing sheets or foils at the same time by using one common mould cavity and without welding them together during thermoforming
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03177—Fuel tanks made of non-metallic material, e.g. plastics, or of a combination of non-metallic and metallic material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J35/00—Fuel tanks specially adapted for motorcycles or engine-assisted cycles; Arrangements thereof
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M37/00—Apparatus or systems for feeding liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus; Arrangements for purifying liquid fuel specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C51/00—Shaping by thermoforming, i.e. shaping sheets or sheet like preforms after heating, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawing; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C51/12—Shaping by thermoforming, i.e. shaping sheets or sheet like preforms after heating, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawing; Apparatus therefor of articles having inserts or reinforcements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7172—Fuel tanks, jerry cans
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K2015/03328—Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling
    • B60K2015/03453—Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling for fixing or mounting parts of the fuel tank together
    • B60K2015/0346—Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling for fixing or mounting parts of the fuel tank together by welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K15/077—Fuel tanks with means modifying or controlling distribution or motion of fuel, e.g. to prevent noise, surge, splash or fuel starvation
    • B60K2015/0775—Fuel tanks with means modifying or controlling distribution or motion of fuel, e.g. to prevent noise, surge, splash or fuel starvation for reducing movement or slash noise of fuel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K15/077—Fuel tanks with means modifying or controlling distribution or motion of fuel, e.g. to prevent noise, surge, splash or fuel starvation
    • B60K2015/0777—Fuel tanks with means modifying or controlling distribution or motion of fuel, e.g. to prevent noise, surge, splash or fuel starvation in-tank reservoirs or baffles integrally manufactured with the fuel Tank

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a fuel tank.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel tank having a fuel tank body and a columnar member. Both ends of the columnar member are welded to fix opposed inner faces of the fuel tank body.
  • the columnar member is, for example, in a cylindrical shape or an elliptic shape in a cross section.
  • Members that are welded in the fuel tank body are, in addition to the columnar member, for example, a wave-dissipation plate and a bracket.
  • the members to be welded on the inner faces of the fuel tank body are referred to as "welded members" hereinbelow.
  • Patent Document 1 US Patent Number 7455190
  • the fuel tank is expanded or contracted due to a change in ambient temperature or a temperature change by heat from an exhaust system.
  • the fuel tank is susceptible to such external factors. If the fuel tank is deformed, the welded faces between the welded members and the fuel tank receive stress. For example, in the case of the columnar member described in Patent Document 1, each welded face is in a ring shape. If the fuel tank is deformed, one point in the outer edge of the welded face may locally receive a large stress.
  • the invention intends to solve such a problem and provides a fuel tank that effectively disperses a stress applied on welded members to have superior durability.
  • the invention provides a fuel tank having a welded member that is welded inside a fuel tank body, wherein the welded member includes a welded face that is welded on at least one of a first tank face and a second tank face which faces the first tank face, of the fuel tank body, and wherein the welded face includes a facing side in a concave shape that faces a given point determined based on a displacement of distance between the first tank face and the second tank face when the fuel tank body receives an internal pressure.
  • the "given point” is referred to as a point where distance varies between the first tank face and the second tank face according to expansion or contraction of the fuel tank.
  • a stress applied on the welded face is dispersed. This prevents one point in the outer edge of the welded face from locally receiving the stress, to allow for obtaining a fuel tank having superior durability.
  • the invention provides a fuel tank having a welded member that is welded inside a fuel tank body, wherein the welded member includes a welded face that is welded on at least one of a first tank face and a second tank face, which faces the first tank face, of the fuel tank body, and, wherein the welded face includes a linear facing side that faces a given point determined, when the fuel tank body receives an internal pressure, based on a separation displacement between the first tank face and the second tank face.
  • the linear facing side is arranged to face the given point, a stress applied on the welded face is dispersed. This prevents one point in the outer edge of the welded face from locally receiving the stress, to allow for obtaining a fuel tank having superior durability.
  • the welded member preferably includes: a bottom; a cylindrical body continuous to the bottom; and an annular flange that extends laterally from an end of the body, wherein the bottom includes the welded face that is welded on one of the first tank face and the second tank face, and wherein the flange includes the welded face that is welded on the other of the first tank face and the second tank face.
  • the strength of the fuel tank is improved.
  • a welded area of the bottom is approximately the same as a welded area of the flange. According to the configuration, the welded member is fixed in a well-balanced manner.
  • a communication hole through which an inside and an outside of the body communicate to each other is preferably formed in the body.
  • the inner space of the welded member is used as a reservoir space for a fuel.
  • ribs that protrude from the welded face are preferably formed on the welded face before welding. According to the configuration, the welded area is increased compared with the case having no ribs, to give more increased welding strength.
  • the respective ribs are preferably formed annularly outward from the center of the welded face, and an outermost rib is lower than the ribs formed inside the outermost rib.
  • the outer edge of the welded face receives a large stress. Therefore, if the outer edge of the welded face is welded strongly, damage in an inner face of the fuel tank may be increased with damage in the welded face.
  • setting the outermost rib to be lower than any other rib as in the invention allows the damage in the inner face of the fuel tank body to be decreased even if the welded face comes off due to the internal pressure in the fuel tank.
  • the fuel tank of the invention effectively disperses a stress applied on the welded members to have superior durability.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel tank as viewed from above therethrough according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • a fuel tank T shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is mounted on a means of transportation such as an automobile, a motorcycle and a boat, and includes a fuel tank body 1 and a bracket 2 mounted in the fuel tank body 1.
  • a pump mounting hole 3 is formed in a first tank face 1a of the fuel tank body 1.
  • a pump (not shown) that pumps out the fuel outside the tank is connected to the pump mounting hole 3.
  • the fuel tank body 1 is a hollow container for reserving a fuel such as gasoline, and, for example, is made of a thermoplastic resin.
  • the fuel tank body 1 is produced, for example, by blow molding.
  • the bracket 2 is mounted in the fuel tank body 1 when the fuel tank body 1 is produced, and, for example, is made of a thermoplastic resin.
  • the bracket 2 includes a pair of columnar welded members 10A, 10B.
  • a wave-dissipation plate 20 is arranged between the welded members 10A and 10B.
  • the welded member 10A includes a receiving portion 30 that supports an internal member such as a cut valve (not shown).
  • the welded member 10B includes a supported portion 40 that is used at the time of welding the bracket 2 on the fuel tank body 1.
  • the welded member 10A has a substantially kidney shape as viewed from above, and has the central portion of one end recessed toward the other end.
  • the welded member 10A has a bottom 11, a body 12 continuous to the bottom 11, and a flange 13 continuous to the body 12. Note that, in FIG. 3 , the welded member 10A (10B) is shown alone, and the wave-dissipation plate 20 and the receiving portion 30 attached to the welded member 10A are omitted.
  • the bottom 11 includes a flat welded face 11A.
  • the welded face 11A is welded on the first tank face 1a (see FIG. 1 ) of the fuel tank body 1.
  • the welded face 11A is defined by a first facing side 11a in a concave shape, second facing sides 11b in a convex shape continuous to both sides in the extending direction of the first facing side 11a, and a connecting side 11c that connects the second sides 11b to each other.
  • the first facing side 11a is curvedly recessed toward the connecting side 11c. That is, the first facing side 11a protrudes toward the connecting side 11c.
  • the second facing sides 11b peripheral to the first facing side 11a protrude in a direction away from each other.
  • the connecting side 11c is formed in a curved shape in the same orientation as the first facing side 11a. Note that the first facing side 11a corresponds to a "concave facing side" in claims.
  • the body 12 is in a curved outer shape to follow the curved shapes of the sides defining the welded face 11A.
  • a concave face 12C is formed that follows the first facing side 11a of the welded face 11A.
  • convex faces 12D that follow the second facing sides 11b of the welded face 11A are formed to be continuous to the concave face 12C.
  • a curved face 12E that follows the connecting side 11c of the welded face 11A is formed to be continuous to the convex faces 12D.
  • the body 12 has an outer peripheral face that slightly inclines in a skirt shape from the bottom 11 toward the flange 13.
  • a vertical convex rib 12a and a vertical concave rib 12b are formed that extend in the axial direction of the body 12 so as to be spaced apart circumferentially.
  • a communication hole 12a1 is formed at the upper end of the vertical convex rib 12a.
  • a communication hole 12b1 is formed at the lower end of the vertical concave rib 12b.
  • the space outside the body 12 space in the fuel tank body 1 is communicated with the space inside the body 12 through the communication holes 12a1, 12b1.
  • the flange 13 includes a flat annular welded face 13A on its bottom face (see FIG. 3C and FIG. 4B ).
  • the welded face 13A is welded on the second tank face 1b (see FIG. 1 ) of the fuel tank body 1.
  • the flange 13 is integrally formed with the body 12 at the lower end of the body 12, and includes an annular protruding portion 13a and an upright portion 13b.
  • the protruding portion 13a substantially evenly extends from the lower end of the body 12 outward to form the welded face 13A on its lower face. As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG.
  • the protruding portion 13a includes a first facing side 13a1 in a concave shape that follows the concave face 12C of the body 12, second facing sides 13a2 in a convex shape that follow the convex faces 12D of the body 12, and a connecting side 13a3 that follows the curved face 12E of the body 12.
  • the upright portion 13b continues to the upright portion 13a and extends upward.
  • a vertical reinforcing rib may be arranged between the protruding portion 13a and the outer face of the body 12.
  • a welded area of the welded face 11A of the bottom 11 as described above is set to be substantially equal to a welded area of the welded face 13A of the flange 13.
  • the welded member 10A is welded between the first tank face 1a and the second tank face 1b of the fuel tank body 1.
  • the welded face 11A of the bottom 11 is welded to a stepped portion 1a1 that is formed sunken on the first tank face 1a.
  • the welded face 13A of the flange 13 is welded to a stepped portion 1b1 that is formed raised on the second tank face 1b.
  • the welded member 10A is welded across the stepped portions 1A1, 1b1 that are formed to reinforce the fuel tank body 1.
  • the welded member 10A is mounted in the fuel tank body 1 so that the first facing side 11a and the second facing sides 11b face a given point P in the fuel tank body 1.
  • the second facing sides 11b are arranged to relatively protrude toward the given point P more than the first facing side 11a.
  • the given point P in FIG. 2 is a point where a distance between the first tank face 1a and the second tank face 1b, which face each other, varies according to expansion or contraction of the fuel tank T.
  • the given point P is appropriately determined based on a displacement of the distance between the first tank face 1a and the second tank face 1b.
  • the given point P is set to a point at the substantially central position of the fuel tank body 1 where the displacement is relatively large.
  • the given point P is not necessarily set to a point having the maximum displacement.
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing a stress distribution on the welded member 10A in a state that the welded member 10A is welded on the first tank face 1a and the second tank face 1b.
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B portions that receive a large stress are shown with dot patterns.
  • the first facing side 11a of the welded member 10A is arranged so as to face the given point P and the second facing sides 11b to be peripheral to the first facing side 11a
  • the welded face 11A receives a larger stress along the second facing sides 11b respectively than along the first facing side 11a.
  • the welded face 11A has the stress dispersed on the second facing sides 11b across the first facing side 11a.
  • the second facing sides 13a2 receive a larger stress than the first facing side 13a1. That is, the welded face 13A has the stress dispersed on the second facing sides 13a2 across the first facing side 13a1.
  • the welded member 10B has the second facing sides 11b arranged so as to have a different positional relationship (different distance) from each other to the given point P. Also in this case, since the second facing sides 11b are peripheral to the first facing side 11a, as with the welded member 10A, the welded face 11A of the welded member 10B has its stress dispersed on the second facing sides 11b. Further, the welded face 13A of the welded member 10B has its stress dispersed on the second facing sides 13a2 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B ).
  • the welded member 10B is arranged so that the given point P is positioned in an oblique direction as viewed from above. In other words, the welded member 10B is arranged so that the lengths of the two imaginary lines connecting the given point P with the pair of second facing sides 11b, 11b are different.
  • the welded member 10A is arranged so that the given point P is positioned at the front viewed from above. In other words, the welded member 10A is arranged so that the lengths of the two imaginary lines connecting the given point P with the pair of second facing sides 11b, 11b are the same. If the welded member 10B is arranged in front of the given point P as with the welded member 10A, the stress will be dispersed in a well-balanced manner.
  • the welded member 10A supports one end of the wave-dissipation plate 20. Further, the receiving portion 30 is attached to the welded member 10A.
  • the wave-dissipation plate 20 includes a plate-shaped base portion 21 and plate-shaped wave-dissipation members 22 that are attached to the base portion 21 at both ends. Both ends in the extending direction of the wave-dissipation plate 22 respectively extend toward the welded member 10A and the welded member 10B.
  • One end of the wave-dissipation member 22 is fixed on the convex face 12D of the body 12 of the welded member 10A. Further, the other end of the wave-dissipation member 22 is fixed on the convex face 12D of the body 12 of the welded member 10B.
  • the wave-dissipation member 22 is fixed by welding, with an adhesive, or the like.
  • the receiving portion 30 includes legs 31 and an annular support portion 32 formed at the distal ends of the legs 31.
  • the base ends of the legs 31 are fixed on the outer face of the body 12 of the welded member 10A. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , the distal ends of the legs 31 are fixed across the convex faces 12D of the body 12.
  • the legs 31 are fixed by welding, with an adhesive, or the like.
  • the support portion 32 supports a cut valve or the like (not shown) to be arranged in the fuel tank body 1.
  • the welded member 10A has a plate-shaped wave-dissipation member 25 attached on the curved face 12E of the body 12 on a side opposite to the side where the receiving portion 30 is attached.
  • the supported portion 40 is supported by a lifting device 5 (see FIG. 6 ) to be described later so as to assemble the bracket 2 at the time of producing the fuel tank body 1.
  • the supported portion 40 includes a pair of base portions 41, 42 spaced apart from each other, a plurality of wave-dissipation portions 43 that connect the pair of base portions 41, 42 together, and a connecting portion 44 that is connected on the body 12 of the welded member 10B.
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B a method of mounting the bracket 2 by a manufacturing device will be described.
  • the lifting device 5 is used to mount the bracket 2.
  • Directions referred to in the following description are set for convenience in describing the configuration of the lifting device 5, and are not intended to identify the configuration of the lifting device 5.
  • the lifting device 5 includes a support rod 51, a seat 52 and a clamp mechanism 53.
  • the lifting device 5 detachably supports the bracket 2 and moves up and down.
  • the support rod 51 is a rod-shaped member that extends vertically.
  • the support rod 51 is supported by a slide mechanism 54 so as to be vertically slidable.
  • the clamp mechanism 53 fixes the bracket 2 on the upper face of the seat 52.
  • the bracket 2 is mounted in the fuel tank body 1 when the fuel tank body is blow-molded.
  • the manufacturing device for the fuel tank body 1 includes a pair of molds 55a, 55b, a pair of chucks 56a, 56b, and a pair of expansion pins 57a, 57b, in addition to the lifting device 5 described above.
  • the molds 55a, 55b are arranged so as to be movable along an inward and outward direction (opening and closing direction of molds). Molding faces 58a, 58a for molding the fuel tank body 1 are formed recessed on the inner faces of the molds 55a, 55b. Joining cylinders 59a that are expandable along the inward and outward direction (opening and closing direction of molds) are arranged at approximately central portions of the molds 55a, 55b.
  • the right and left joining cylinders 59a, 59a makes a set. In the example, two sets are arranged apart from each other vertically.
  • the joining cylinders 59a extend mutually to press a parison 6 from outside so as to join (weld) the bracket 2 inside the parison 6 (see FIG. 6B ).
  • a pair of pinches 55a1, 55b1 that is expandable along the inward and outward direction (opening and closing direction of molds) is arranged at the lower end of the molds 55a, 55b.
  • the pinches 55a1, 55b1 extend mutually to press and close the lower end of the parison 6.
  • the mold 55b includes a first blow pin 61 through which air is supplied into the parison 6 and a second blow pin 62 through which the air in the parison 6 is discharged outside.
  • the first blow pin 61 is arranged retractably at the central portion of the mold 55b.
  • the second blow pin 62 is arranged retractably at the lower corner of the mold 55b.
  • the chucks 56a, 56b are arranged above the molds 55a, 55b so as to be movable along the inward and outward direction (opening and closing direction of molds).
  • the chucks 56a, 56b hold the upper end of the cylindrical or sheet-shaped parison 6 to suspend the parison 6 between the molds 55a, 55b. Further, the chucks 56a, 56b approach mutually to press and close the upper end of the parison 6.
  • the expansion pins 57a, 57b are arranged below the molds 55a, 55b so as to be movable along the inward and outward direction (opening and closing direction of molds).
  • the expansion pins 57a, 57b move away from each other to expand the lower end of the parison 6.
  • the method of mounting the bracket 2 using such a manufacturing device includes an setting step, a prison arranging step, a bracket arranging step, a joining step, a removing step and a blowing step.
  • the setting step sets the bracket 2 on the lifting device 5.
  • the support rod 51 is slid upward by a given length to set the bracket 2 on the upper face of the seat 52.
  • the supported portion 40 of the bracket 2 is clamped by the clamp mechanism 53 to fix the bracket 2 on the seat 52.
  • the parison arranging step arranges the parison 6 between the molds 55a, 55b.
  • the chucks 56a, 56b hold the upper end of the parison 6 to suspend the parison 6 between the molds 55a, 55b.
  • the expansion pins 57a, 57b disposed inside the suspended parison 6 are moved away from each other to expand the lower end of the parison 6 so that the lower end is kept open.
  • the bracket arranging step moves the bracket 2 upward by the lifting device 5 to arrange the bracket 2 at a given position between the molds 55a, 55b.
  • the support rod 51 is slid upward to insert the bracket 2 from below between the molds 55a, 55b and inside the parison 6.
  • the joining step joins the bracket 2 to the parison 6.
  • the joining cylinders 59a are extended inward (closing direction of molds) to clamp and press the bracket 2 from outside the parison 6.
  • the distal ends of the joining cylinders 59a mutually press, and weld pressed portions of the parison 6 and the bracket 2.
  • the bracket 2 is attached inside the parison 6 (fuel tank body 1) via the welded members 10A, 10B.
  • the removing step removes the bracket 2 from the lifting device 5.
  • the supported portion 40 of the bracket 2 is released from the clamp mechanism 53, and the support rod 51 is slid downward to retract the seat 52.
  • the blowing step mold-clamps the molds 55a, 55b for blow molding. Accordingly, the fuel tank T is formed.
  • the welded members 10A, 10B are welded inside the parison 6 with the use of the lifting device 5 and the joining cylinders 59a, 59a, but the method is not limited thereto.
  • the welded members 10A, 10B may be welded inside the parison 6 with the use of a robot arm.
  • the welded member 10A (10B) includes the bottom 11, the body 12 and the flange 13, and the bottom 11 of the welded member 10A (10B) is welded on the first tank face 1a and the flange 13 is welded on the second tank face 1b, respectively. Therefore, the strength of the fuel tank T is improved. Further, in the welded face 13A formed on the flange 13, since the stress is dispersed on the second facing sides 13a2 that face the given point P, one point in the outer edge of the welded face 13A does not receive a large stress. Accordingly, the fuel tank T having more superior durability is obtained.
  • the welded area in the welded face 11A of the bottom 11 is approximately the same as the welded area in the welded face 13A of the flange 13, to make the difference in weld strength small between the bottom 11 and the flange 13. Therefore, a good welding balance is provided between the first tank surface 1a and the second tank surface 1b.
  • the communication holes 12a1 and 12b1 that communicates inside and outside the body portion 12 are formed in the body 12, through which the fuel is led into the body 12. Therefore, the inner spaces in the welded members 10A, 10B are suitably used as reservoir spaces for the fuel. Thus, the decrease in volume of the fuel tank body 1 due to arranging the welded members 10A, 10B is minimized, to suitably secure the volume of the fuel tank body 1.
  • a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B .
  • the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that annular ribs 11R are formed on the welded face 11A before welding. Further, annular ribs 13R are formed on the welded face 13A before welding.
  • a plurality of ribs 11R are formed to protrude on the welded face 11A of the bottom 11.
  • the ribs 11R are formed at given intervals from the center toward the outer peripheral edge of the welded surface 11A.
  • Each rib 11R is substantially in the same shape and is formed larger toward the outside.
  • Each rib 11R is, as shown in FIG. 8A , divided circumferentially by two notched grooves 11m that are formed in the direction orthogonal to the ribs 11R.
  • a plurality of long holes 11h are formed in the welded face 11A. Each long hole 11h is formed open between the adjacent ribs 11R. Each long hole 11h serves as an air vent hole at the time of welding.
  • the rib 11R1 at the outermost is lower than the ribs 11R located closer to the center (inside) with respect to the outermost rib 11R1.
  • a plurality of ribs 13R are formed to protrude on the welded face 13A of the flange 13.
  • Three ribs 13R are formed at given intervals near the inner peripheral edge of the welded face 13A.
  • Each rib 13R is, as shown in FIG. 8B , divided into several pieces circumferentially by a plurality of notched grooves 13m that are formed in the direction orthogonal to the rib 13R. Note that, also in the welded face 13A, the rib 13R at the outermost may be formed to be lower than the ribs 13R at inner side with respect to the outermost rib 13R.
  • the welded area is increased compared with the case having no ribs 11R, 13R, to give more increased weld strength.
  • the rib 11R1 at the outermost is lower than the ribs 11R at the inner side with respect to the outermost rib 11R1, to allow for reducing the amount of resin run at the outer edge of the welded face 11A as compared with that at the inner side. That is, the strength at the outer edge of the welded face 11A is formed intentionally weaker than that at the inner side. With such a configuration, even if the internal pressure of the fuel tank T is applied to damage the welded face 11A, only the outer edge of the welded face 11A comes off by the damage, to allow for making the damage on the inner face of the fuel tank body 1 small. Further, the notched grooves 11m, 13m improve the fluidity of the resin at the time of welding.
  • a third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B .
  • the third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that a welded member 10C is formed in a substantially D-shape as viewed from above.
  • the welded face 11A of the welded member 10C is, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B , defined by a linear facing side 11e, substantially semicircular lateral sides 11f continuous to both ends of the linear facing side 11e, and a connecting side 11c that connects the lateral sides 11f to each other and faces the linear facing side 11e.
  • the welded member 10C is attached in the fuel tank body 1 so that the linear facing side 11e faces the given point P (see FIG. 2 ) of the fuel tank body 1. Note that the positional relationship between the given point P and the welded member 10C is preferably set so that the given point P is positioned (faced) in an area defined by a normal line (not shown) passing through one end and a normal line (not shown) passing through the other end of the linear facing side 11e.
  • the stress is applied on the welded face 11A of the bottom 11 along the linear facing side 11e facing the given point P, as shown by the dot patterns in FIGS. 10A and 10B .
  • the stress is dispersed approximately all over the linear facing side 11e.
  • the stress is applied along the linear facing side 13e.
  • the stress is dispersed approximately all over the linear facing side 13e.
  • the welded face 11A is welded on the first tank face 1a and the welded face 13A is welded on the second tank face 1b.
  • the position may be reversed to weld the welded face 13A on the first tank face 1a and to weld the welded surface 11A on the second tank face 1b.
  • the stress described above may be dispersed on only the face to be welded on one of the first tank face 1a and the second tank face 1b.
  • bracket 2 includes the welded members 10A, 10B connected by the wave-dissipation plate 20, the configuration of the bracket 2 is not limited thereto and the welded members 10A, 10B alone may be arranged.
  • both the welded members 10A, 10B are arranged to face the given point P
  • the configuration is not limited thereto and only one of the welded members 10A, 10B may be arranged to face the given point P.
  • first facing side 11a the configuration is not limited thereto and a plurality of first facing sides 11a may be formed.
  • first facing sides 11a in a case where two first facing sides 11a are formed, at least three second facing sides 11b can be formed so as to be adjacent to each first facing side 11a, to disperse the stress more suitably.
  • at least four second facing sides 11b can be formed so as to be adjacent to each first facing side 11a, to disperse the stress still more suitably.
  • the bracket 2 is illustrated as an internal member, but the invention may be applied when various valves or and/or internal members such as a wave-dissipation plate and a clip are welded on the inner face of the fuel tank body 1. Also in this case, a welded face for welding may be provided on at least one of the first tank face 1a and the second tank face 1b that face with each other.
  • the welded area in the welded face 11A of the bottom 11 is set to have approximately the same welded area in the welded face 13A of the flange 13, the configuration is not limited thereto and either one may be set to have a larger welded area than the other.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
EP16779810.7A 2015-04-15 2016-02-18 Kraftstofftank Active EP3284625B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2015083145 2015-04-15
PCT/JP2016/054648 WO2016167018A1 (ja) 2015-04-15 2016-02-18 燃料タンク

Publications (3)

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EP3284625A1 true EP3284625A1 (de) 2018-02-21
EP3284625A4 EP3284625A4 (de) 2018-12-05
EP3284625B1 EP3284625B1 (de) 2020-04-08

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US (1) US9937788B1 (de)
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JP (1) JP6253848B2 (de)
CN (1) CN107531144B (de)
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CN105604693B (zh) * 2016-03-02 2018-08-31 苏州圆能动力科技有限公司 一种便携式发电机组
JP6923417B2 (ja) * 2017-10-26 2021-08-18 トヨタ自動車株式会社 燃料タンク
KR102169576B1 (ko) * 2018-12-21 2020-10-23 주식회사 동희산업 차량용 연료탱크의 배플
JP7349825B2 (ja) * 2019-06-27 2023-09-25 株式会社Fts 燃料タンク及び支柱部材
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JP6253848B2 (ja) 2018-01-31
WO2016167018A1 (ja) 2016-10-20
US20180079299A1 (en) 2018-03-22
CN107531144A (zh) 2018-01-02
EP3284625A4 (de) 2018-12-05
US9937788B1 (en) 2018-04-10
JPWO2016167018A1 (ja) 2017-12-14
CN107531144B (zh) 2018-10-30
EP3284625B1 (de) 2020-04-08

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